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Government criticised over plans to cut air pollution

The Government has been accused of passing responsibility to cut air pollution to councils. A Parliamentary inquiry into air quality heard that five cities and 23 local authorities have been selected in a plan to devise measures to reduce illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide by December 2018, but that the Government has refused to legislate for more clean air zones. Environment Minister Therese Coffey said the Government was working with councils to help draw up plans.